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Preview: In some ways, Ash Barty’s rise to No 1 in the women’s rankings can be traced back to a loss to Angelique Kerber three years ago. Playing her first final in her native Australia, Barty was beaten in straight sets by Kerber in the 2018 Sydney International — and came away with a new understanding of what it takes to get to the top. ”I remember coming off the court and feeling like my level was close, but it wasn’t good enough,” Barty said. ”That was almost a bit of a reset knowing I’m not far off, but I’m not there yet.” Now Barty is not far off her first Wimbledon title. But not there yet, as Kerber once again stands in her way in Thursday’s semi-finals. ”I think the challenge of playing her in a semifinal of Wimbledon is an incredible opportunity, one that I’m really excited for,” said Barty, who won her only Grand Slam title at the 2019 French Open. ”It’s not scary or overwhelming, it’s just exciting.” Kerber is the only former women’s champion remaining in the tournament. The other two semi-finalists, No 2 Aryna Sabalenka and Karolina Pliskova, are into the last four for the first time at the All England Club. The 33-year-old Kerber is only seeded 25th at Wimbledon but seems to have rediscovered her best grass-court form after winning a warmup tournament in Bad Homburg, Germany. She has a 2-2 career record against Barty, but their last meeting came in 2018 and they have never played on grass. Kerber thinks the fact that her name is already on the Wimbledon trophy could give her an advantage. “Of course, it’s a good feeling already to have the trophy at home and to (have) won it here,” she said. “Now I’m back. I’m coming after a really tough time. I was not playing good the last few months. Now, winning last week a tournament at home, now playing well here again, that means a lot to me.” Barty, for her part, has never even had a good look at the Venus Rosewater Dish, as the women’s trophy is called. “I think it’s downstairs in like a case before the court entrance,” Barty said after her quarterfinal win over fellow Australian Ajla Tomljanovic. “I can’t say that I’ve gone up and kind of peered in. Maybe one day I’ll get an opportunity to look at it.” With inputs from AP.
Wimbledon 2021 Highlights, women's singles semis: Karolina Pliskova sets up final against Ash Barty with comeback win
Catch all the latest updates and check out the live score from the Wimbledon women’s singles semi-finals on Firstpost.com’s LIVE blog.
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Match stats
Pliskova: “I think we played an amazing match, both of us…. Till now I’ve never passed the 4th round, and now I’m in the final, so it’s an incredible achievement for me. It’s tough to enjoy such a fast match, lots of quick winners and errors, so I’m super happy about the win!”
Karolina Pliskova is into her second Grand Slam final
Game, set, match Karolina Pliskova 6-7, 6-4, 6-4
Karolina Pliskova is into her maiden Wimbledon final at the expense of Aryna Sabalenka. After not converting eight break points in the first set, Pliskova with a solid head and serene performance to win in three sets making the most of individual breaks.
Pliskova 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 Sabalenka (* denotes next server)
Pliskova serving for a place in the final. Two great serves to begin with and she’s quickly on to 30-30. Sabalenka doing a better job on the second serve and a forehand down the line to eke out an error. Pliskova with a beautiful backhand pickup and then sees Sabalenka miss her outstretched shot. Two match points. ACE!
Those fines can be pretty hefty
Pliskova* 5-7, 6-4, 5-4 Sabalenka (* denotes next server)
Sabalenka with BIG serves. An unreturnable serve is followed by a 119 mph ace. Pliskova sends the return wide and Sabalenka holds at love.
Pliskova 5-7, 6-4, 5-3 *Sabalenka (* denotes next server)
Pliskova with her 13th ace and holds by dropping one point.
Pliskova 5-7, 6-4, 4-3 *Sabalenka (* denotes next server)
A straightforward hold for Sabalenka to stay in it. Pliskova sends the forehand return wide, well wide, and the Belarussian is not going away without a fight
Pliskova 5-7, 6-4, 4-2 *Sabalenka (* denotes next server)
Sabalenka with a straightforward hold and keeping the pressure on Pliskova to stay strong on her serve. Sabalenka urging herself on with big forehands and sees Pliskova net her forehand to bring the game to 30-30. A very well crafted point by both players. Sabalenka with a forehand slice, a drop shot and then Pliskova keeps the ball short to make Sabalenka reach and the stretched shot lands wide. On game point, Pliskova with perfect angles and has Sabalenka running around and then goes behind her to hold
Meanwhile in the men’s doubles
Pliskova 5-7, 6-4, 3-1 *Sabalenka (* denotes next server)
Pliskova takes her tally of aces to 11, winners to 27 and brings up game points. Gets lucky with the ball coming off the frame of the racket and Sabalenka nets the forehand
Pliskova* 5-7, 6-4, 2-1 Sabalenka (* denotes next server)
A love hold for Sabalenka. But Pliskova has had inroads more on the Sabalenka serve than the other way around. 32 to 16 per the stats.
Pliskova 5-7, 6-4, 2-0 *Sabalenka (* denotes next server)
And a comfortable hold to consolidate the break advantage. She’s been slowing the pace down of her serves and not allowing Sabalenka to go into attacking mode. Can she hold through, though?
Pliskova* 5-7, 6-4, 1-0 Sabalenka (* denotes next server)
BREAK! Karolina Pliskova takes early advantage in the deciding set. Hits a good backhand return off 2nd serve and Sabalenka nets the reply.
Running forehands ????!
Second set stats
First three-setter in a Wimbledon women’s semi-final since 2015
Second set: Karolina Plisova 6-4
After not converting her opportunities in the first set, Karolina Pliskova does so in the second set on the first break point she gets. Continues to serve well and forces a decider
Pliskova 5-7, 6-4 *Sabalenka (* denotes next server)
Pliskova serving for the second set. Starts off with an error and then Sabalenka with a forehand passing shot. That was really well struck. Pliskova forces the Belarussian into an error and then smacks big angled forehands to bring the game to 30-30. Sabalenka with a backhand into the net and Pliskova gets a set point. Converted! Forehand winner into the open court for a one-two.
Umbrellas are out
Uh-oh! The umbrellas are out. We might have an interruption soon. Sabalenka seemed to be checking with the chair umpire about it. On we go, for now, with Pliskova serving for the second set
WHAT. A. SHOT.
Pliskova* 5-7, 5-4 Sabalenka (* denotes next server)
118mph serve into Pliskova’s body and Sabalenka has a chance to hold. Not yet as she serves her third double fault. Gets there in the end with Pliskova sending her forehand long.
Pliskova 5-7, 5-3 *Sabalenka (* denotes next server)
A frustrated Sabalenka finds the net and Pliskova holds serve comfortable. Been the theme of this second set
Pliskova* 5-7, 4-3 Sabalenka (* denotes next server)
Pliskova is thundering her forehands in now. Sabalenka with a powerful drive volley and Pliskova thumps it back with interest for a winner. And then climbs on to the second serve to force Sabalenka into quick reaction which goes wide. Deuce. Sabalenka holds with a drop shot and then volley winner into the open court from the pick-up
Pliskova 5-7, 4-2 *Sabalenka (* denotes next server)
After getting a much-needed break, Pliskova holds at love. She’s in control now.
Pliskova* 5-7, 3-2 Sabalenka (* denotes next server)
A poor serve from Sabalenka, helped along by Pliskova mixing things up. A deep, deep serve return and Sabalenka’s forehand is into the bottom of the net. After squandering eight break points in the first set, Pliskova converts the first of the second set. Clenches her first and looks at her box which is up in applause
Pliskova 5-7, 2-2 *Sabalenka (* denotes next server)
Pliskova has a chance to close the game out on love but goes for too much on a forehand. But closes the game out with another lovely drop shot and scrambles to her left to pick up the half-volley for a winner. Two well played drop shots and Sabalenka would be expecting more from here on in
Pliskova* 5-7, 1-2 Sabalenka (* denotes next server)
Sabalenka drops a point on serve and stays unbroken today.
Pliskova 5-7, 1-1 *Sabalenka (* denotes next server)
After getting a serve back almost non chalantly, Sabalenka with a mis-hit on the next and Pliskova holds with a point dropped.
Pliskova* 5-7, 0-1 Sabalenka (* denotes next server)
Sabalenka pushed to start the first game of the second set and like the first, she closes it with Pliskova unable to make it count.
First set stats
First set stats
First set: Aryna Sabalenka 7-5
Aryna Sabalenka wins the opening set 7-5 having saved EIGHT break points. On 7 of them she got a first serve in and on the only second serve, the Belarusian served an ace.
Pliskova 5-7 *Sabalenka (* denotes next server)
Having served well so far, Pliskova with a shaky game now. Misses a routine shot and is visibly upset. And then doesn’t put away a drive volley which gives Sabalenka her first break point/set point. Double fault!
State of the first set
Pliskova* 5-6 Sabalenka (* denotes next server)
Sabalenka with a big serve, moves well to get a deep return back but misses a fairly simple shot from then on. And now another. The shots not even making the middle of the net. At 0-30, Pliskova with a return right into the laces. She has three break points. One saved by Sabalenka with an ace out wide. She’s been effectively on this side of the court. A big serve on the second break point and Pliskova’s return goes into the net. One more… Saved! Another serve into the backhand and the return goes wide. Sabalenka gets the luck of the net but doesn’t make the most of it with a rushed, shaky backhand that goes wide. Another break point for Pliskova. And another big serve. 113mph ace! And then another ace with some validation of a correct challenge. Another big serve down the T, Pliskova nets the return and smacks the racket on the grass. Eight break points have come and gone now.
Pliskova 5-5 *Sabalenka (* denotes next server)
First big rally of the match has both players scrambling but with Sabalenka holding control. She has the drive volley at one point but doesn’t get away with and misses on the next shot. A love hold in the end. 10 games played in 36 minutes.
Pliskova* 4-5 Sabalenka (* denotes next server)
A much better serve effort from Sbaalenka this time. Big serve gets short reply and gets duly dispatched to bring up game point. And then an ace down the T. Easy.